Defiance College celebrates McMaster School anniversary

October 24, 2018

DEFIANCE, Ohio - In 2002, Harold and Helen McMaster made the largest contribution
in Defiance College’s history. The $6 million gift by the McMasters and their children
created a school within Defiance College to allow students and faculty to use scholarship
to improve the human condition around the world.

Harold McMaster, a prolific physicist and inventor, and his wife, Helen, had traveled
the world. They saw, in his words, “extreme poverty in lands which have natural resources
as great as ours.” They believed that the poverty they witnessed was the result of
a disparity in individual liberties. The McMasters believed that students and faculty
could use their scholarship to improve access to education, better healthcare, clean
water, and address other challenges that these populations faced, thus improving their
quality of life and subsequently their social and political voice.

Since its inception, more than 250 Defiance College students, faculty, and staff have
worked together with communities around the world, as well as here at home. Their
goal has been to effectively couple their research with the context, local wisdom,
and expertise to not only examine the root causes of human suffering but to collaboratively
move toward solutions.

On Saturday, Defiance College hosted the McMaster family as well as current and former
DC students, faculty, and staff who have participated in the McMaster program over
the past 15 years. Harold McMaster died in 2003, but his wife, Helen, and their four
children, Jeanine Sandwisch Dunn, Alan McMaster, Nancy Cobie, and Dr. Ron McMaster
were in attendance along with other family members.

The anniversary celebration featured a look at the impact to date of the McMaster
School, with comments by Defiance College president Dr. Richanne C. Mankey, Vice President
for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean Dr. Agnes Caldwell, McMaster School Dean Mary
Ann Studer, and former DC president Dr. Jim Harris, who led Defiance when the McMasters
made their monumental gift to the college.

Dr. Harris, now president at the University of San Diego, and his wife, Mary, were
presented with the Harold A. McMaster Life is Action Award.

Proclamations recognizing the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity and the McMaster
family were presented from the office of Ohio Rep. Craig Reidel on behalf of the Ohio
House of Representatives and from Mayor Mike McCann on behalf of the City of Defiance.

Dean Studer and Dr. Caldwell shared the results of a longitudinal study examining
the impact of the McMaster School through a survey and interviews with former student
scholars. The study revealed high levels of personal growth, success, and dedication
to responsible citizenship as a result of alumni McMaster experiences. Alumni shared
that their McMaster experiences inspired them to select careers and lead lives that
reflect their values and the values of Defiance College.

At the time the transformational gift was made to the college, Harold McMaster said,
“We hope the new School will encourage students to undertake careers toward improving
the human condition as a means of reducing suffering around the world.”

One hundred percent noted developments in their problem-solving, communication, adaptability,
and flexibility – all liberal arts skills in high demand by employers.

Former scholars overwhelmingly indicated that they understand the impact that individual
liberties, or lack thereof, have on quality of life.

Dean Studer commented, “It is difficult to measure the impact of some of the work
because, in the true nature of community-based research, outcomes are not always measureable.
Students are working toward impact on one school, one village, and one hospital at
a time, and often the collective results or impact of the work aren’t immediately
evident. But, over time, changes in health, productivity, education, and infrastructure
become visible.”

She explained that one of the central parts of the McMaster School model that has
evolved is a multi-year effort of teams of students, faculty, and staff returning
to build on the foundation of previous work and allowing community initiative and
direction to occur at their own pace.

Their efforts over time have resulted in new energy sources, better healthcare, improved
access to clean water, improved teaching resources and methods, and support by government
and NGO initiatives that previously would have written off these marginal communities.
It is estimated that at least 27,000 individuals across the globe have been directly
impacted by the work of the McMaster School.

In addition to local initiatives, the McMaster School has collaborated in Jamaica,
Ireland, Guatemala, Thailand, Belize, Cambodia, Ghana, Tanzania, Israel, New Orleans,
and Panama.

The work of the McMaster School continues, fulfilling a family’s belief in the mission
of an institution to inspire students to enrich the lives of others.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts-based institution
in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as
graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College competes in Division
III of the NCAA and is a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The
College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service
and engagement. The College website is www.defiance.edu.